New York Rangers Coach Alain Vigneault Optimistic As Preseason Begins

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 16: Alain Vigneault of the New York Rangers speaks to the media before Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 16, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

New York Rangers fans should be excited with how Alain Vigneault sounds regarding his two 2017 first round picks.

Dan Rosen tweeted what appears to be great optimism for the upcoming season and future of the New York Rangers.

In his tweet, Rosen wrote that Vigneault said first-round draft picks Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil are both realistic candidates to make the Rangers roster this year. Andersson will dress and make his Rangers debut tonight as they play host to the Islanders at Madison Square Garden.

Chytil was injured prior to the start of the Traverse City Prospect Tournament earlier this month. He made the trip to New York to participate in training camp, so it’s safe to assume the injury wasn’t too serious and we should see him in a preseason game soon.

AV said 1st rd picks Lias Andersson, who will play tonight, and Filip Chytil are both realistic candidates to make the @NYRangers roster.

During yesterday’s practices, Andersson was centering Michael Grabner and Pavel Buchnevich. Earlier today, Andersson told Rangers TV (via the New York Rangers Twitter account), “I am going to get goosebumps out there at the warmups.” Fans should be interested to see how Andersson performs, especially after seeing how well he played throughout the summer in various leagues.